Randy and Sylvie, Signature Vacations Customers
As seen on the cover
Iberostar Varadero
Varadero, Cuba
November 10, 2008
The combination of our closest family and friends, white sandy beaches, all inclusive resorts, and a week-long relaxing vacation, was all the convincing we and our guests needed to celebrate our wedding in Cuba!
A quick 30-minute meeting with the Wedding Coordinator was all that was required to finalize the plan. The wedding day was perfect from start to finish! The only thing missing was more time!
The simple yet elegant ceremony took place in the resort’s exotic garden gazebo. After exchanging of our wedding vows, we were served Champagne and live musicians played as the celebration began. Bringing our own photographer was a great decision. As the guests relaxed prior to the evening reception, the wedding party went on a photo shoot across the resort. Our talented photographer was able to capture all of the emotional moments and spectacular elements of a destination wedding.
The evening reception was a private function at an à la carte restaurant, which had exceptional food and service. The staff was great, and treated everyone like kings
and queens.
We finished off the evening tossing numerous guests into the pool, and then hit the disco to dance the night away. Everyone had a blast, and we wish we were still there!
The best moment of the day …
there were so many special memories, but none more special than seeing your wife to-be walk down the aisle ... in our case, it was a beautifully decorated bridge, leading to the exotic garden gazebo.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
choosing a destination wedding leaves you with no regrets. It was simple, 90%
stress-free and you can’t beat the setting for your wedding pictures. If your budget allows for it, bring a professional photographer you trust to not only capture the special day, but the entire trip! You’ll thank yourself down the road.
Our wedding colours …
were rather simple and casual, we went with the classic white shirts and tan pants for the guys, and silver-blue dresses for the ladies. We kept the colors pretty basic and let the surrounding colors speak for themselves.
Jessa & Kyle, Signature Vacations Customers
Bahia Principe San Juan
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
December 19, 2008
Once we arrived at the hotel our Signature Representative and Wedding Coordinator took care of everything. They were quick to help with any questions or concerns we had and bent over backwards to make sure we enjoyed our stay. We chose the location and the restaurant for our wedding dinner on the night we arrived and they were ready and beautiful the next morning. The entire ceremony went off beautifully and the photographer who supplied the wedding photo package was very professional and took amazing pictures. Everyone was so friendly and there isn’t a single thing we wish would have gone differently.
The best moment of the day …
was walking around the corner of the villa and stepping out onto the cobble stone pathway to walk down the aisle. Seeing my future husband standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me was an amazing feeling and I felt so blessed to know we were sharing the rest of our lives together.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
is to try not to worry about too many details until you get to your destination. As a bride, I stressed a lot, before we left but once we arrived I realized that they call them Wedding Coordinators for a reason and this is what they do every day. Our Wedding Coordinator was amazing and had everything perfectly under control. All of my stress was for nothing.
Our wedding colours …
were blue, tan and white as a way to represent the beach, sand and sky.
On January 11, 2008, I attended the most amazing wedding ever … OUR wedding! It was what my husband-to-be and I had always wanted our wedding day to be. It took us 19 years to have it finally come to fruition - but it did and it was worth every moment of research and every dollar. There wasn’t a whole lot of stress leading up to this wedding. I think the most stressful part was trying to decide on which resort to go to ... and what the guys should wear! After that, the Wedding Coordinator and her team took care of everything!
The backdrop was the beautiful turquoise ocean, white sand beach and palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze with 18 of our closest friends and family looking on. There was nothing quite like it, casually walking barefoot through the sand on my dad’s arm towards my waiting husband, while the guitar trio played their tropical version of “Here Comes The Bride”. It was OUR dream wedding come true!
A seven day party & celebration of love with family & friends! Then another seven days of honeymooning!!
The best moment of the day …
my husband says the best moment of the day was when I showed up on the beach... late of course!
Our advice for future wedding couples …
be sure to enjoy, have fun and take it all in as it’s all over far too quickly! The Wedding Coordinator and her team take care of everything, so there’s really no reason not to enjoy!
Our wedding colours …
were ocean blue, black & white.
Holly and Shawn, Signature Vacations Customers
Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
February 19, 2008
We arrived on the 17th and were married on the 19th. The Wedding Coordinator was very professional and very good at her job. She made sure everything was perfect from the moment we arrived. Shawn and I were upgraded to VIP status and everyone in our party was treated amazingly! Since we have been home, we have talked about going back every single day. The Signature staff and Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro staff were outstanding. We recommend a stress-free destination wedding to everyone. We are forever grateful!
The best moment of the day …
was definitely the wedding and how professional and happy of all the resort
staff were. Our dinner afterwards at the Garden Grill was perfect … immaculate,
with terrific service!
Our advice for future wedding couples …
we would recommend a destination wedding to anyone … not only is the stress minimal, but it’s a very affordable option. Plus you and your group have the time
of your life … relaxing and being very well taken care of! We are already planning
our return trip!
Our wedding colours …
were orange and white, to match the orange roses and white lilies in the bouquet.
Christe & Scott, Signature Vacations Customers
Paradisus Princesa Del Mar
Varadero, Cuba
Vows Renewed on June 28, 2008
We had honeymooned in Cuba in 2003 and vowed to go back 5 years later to renew our vows and on June 28th, we did … with a stunning backdrop of champagne & white, interspersed with beautiful exotic coral & fuchsia coloured tropical flowers.
The Paradisus Princesa Del Mar was the perfect choice, and the Concierge service made it even better. From the personal one-on-one attention of the staff and the Wedding Coordinator, to the exclusive areas for Concierge customers, we were made to feel like movie stars from the minute we arrived.
The best moment of the day …
was the romantic dinner reception organized for us at The Hilltop … everything surpassed our expectations!
Our advice for future wedding couples …
draw up a list of services and amenities you require, and communicate these to your Wedding Coordinator … they will work with you to deliver the wedding you always dreamed of (and more!)
Our wedding colours …
were champagne, fuchsia, white & coral.
After the wedding ceremony, we had an intimate gathering of friends and family on the chic terrace overlooking the resort. This was a great opportunity to converse with our guests while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Afterwards we feasted on a savoury five course meal at the reception. The immaculate presentation of the food was as enjoyable as the meal itself! The wedding party exchanged toasts, speeches, and formalities just before we cut the cake. Afterwards, Leonard and I celebrated our first dance on a two-tiered gazebo, decorated with flowers, petals, and tulle. While we were celebrating our recent marriage, the hotel staff was hard at work decorating our room with rose petals, flowers and swans.
The whole wedding day was a romantic fantasy that carried over into the next day. Leonard and I awoke to breakfast in bed and had a personally catered steak and lobster supper on the beach at sunset (all compliments of the resort).
The hotel staff at Dreams should be commended for their phenomenal attention to detail in terms of wedding planning and coordination. They surpassed all of our expectations and created lifelong memories of our ultimate destination wedding.
The best moment of the day …
as I walked down the aisle, warm sunshine cascaded over my body and the aroma of fresh flowers filled the air. The wedding party patiently awaited my arrival in the picturesque gazebo. As I began to walk, all eyes turned towards me. As the reality of my upcoming marriage began to unfold, my eyes met Leonard’s, and we shared a moment of intimacy. This was the moment I had been waiting for all of my life—from that moment forth, I knew that we would be together forever.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
is to find that special someone who truly makes you happy in life. The rest just comes naturally.
Our wedding colours …
were black and white for the groomsmen and chocolate brown for the bridesmaids.
After choosing Palladium Vallarta for our destination wedding we spent much time envisioning how the day would be. Upon arrival we met with the on-site Wedding Coordinator, Patricia, to smooth out the final details of our big day! She assisted us with choosing the flowers, music and adding some additional features! On the morning of October 13, we met 23 of our friends and family members on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! As the music began my father took my hand and we began our walk down the aisle. From the music, to the décor, to the moment Carlos and I said “I do”, everything was perfect! As the ceremony came to a close and we began our walk down the aisle together, Champagne bottles popped and cheers rang out! It truly was a fairy tale wedding and couldn’t have been more perfect!
The best moment of the day …
was toasting Champagne after the ceremony, under the sun shade. As we celebrated a large bird flew over us the photographer caught the shot of us all looking up.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
is to make a list of all of the photos you want because once the day starts happening the photos get taken so quickly you might not get all the shots you want and you will not get another chance!
Our wedding colours …
were gold and navy blue.
Elizabeth & Nin, Signature Vacations Customers
Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal Playacar
Riviera Maya, Mexico
December 11, 2008
Amidst the gorgeous blues of the water and stunning surroundings, the Riviera Maya was the perfect place to exchange our vows and celebrate our beach wedding with families and friends. Everyone loved the experience and it was simply a tropical paradise!
Our Wedding Coordinator Mayra took care of all the details and really made the day seamless for us. From organizing the Mariachi band and our song selections to my request for pink rose bouquets and customizing our wedding cake, she did it all! Our photographer Claudia Rodriguez (claudiaphoto.com) was just superb—she is truly talented and such a professional.
I would do it all over again and would highly recommend a destination wedding to every bride-to-be out there. Spending time with our family and friends during the week made our wedding that much more fun and special. Those are memories we will all share and cherish forever.
The best moment of the day …
was walking down the aisle and feeling so much love and happiness from my family, closest friends and my future husband. The beach setting was so beautiful and breathtaking ... it’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
savour every moment because it goes by so fast! Really enjoy the time you have and don’t worry about anything stressful - keep things simple and use your Wedding Coordinator to take care of the details. We also recommend getting a Mariachi band - they were fabulous and the guests loved the music.
Our wedding colours …
were bright ‘hot’ pink which was incorporated into my bouquet, bridesmaids dresses and ceremony fans.
Sandi & Sheldon, Signature Vacations Customers
Iberostar Tainos
Varadero, Cuba
February 22, 2008
The experience of tying the knot somewhere hot was amazing! When we first arrived in Varadero, Cuba we were greeted by a Signature Rep who made sure we all got on the right bus to go to Iberostar Tainos resort. As the resort is small and intimate we became really close to the staff, including our Wedding Coordinator, Giselle, who took care of everything. Once we were in our room, staff showed up to take our wedding clothes and air them out and have them steamed/pressed. Then arrangements were made for hair, photographer, flowers, etc. We chose to have our wedding ceremony on the beach & the weather was fabulous. We even did the Conga line into the water! We had our choice of restaurants for our wedding reception & they even closed off half the place for us! We feel our Signature Destination Wedding was unforgettable. We would recommend future brides-to-be & grooms-to-be to go for a destination wedding. All the details are taken care of & you just show up and enjoy your day on the beach in the sun! Where else can you have your first dance in the sand to music played by a Cuban band!
The best moment of the day …
was walking over the bridge towards the beach with my mom, best friend and sister at my side … walking towards my waiting fiancé.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
get married in a tropical destination … there’s no stress and it’s so
much fun!
Our wedding colours …
were tan and aqua blue.
Krista & Jamie, Signature Vacations Customers
Sensatori Azul
Riviera Maya, Mexico
January 21, 2009
The resort Wedding Planners were incredible. They were super accommodating and very easy to work with. We got married on the beach, and added hot pink bows to the chairs. I LOVED how it looked; they even added hot pink gerbera daisies and tropical flowers to compliment the colours in our hanging bouquets. The hot pink really ‘popped’ against the sand and I thought it was gorgeous.
The ceremony went beautifully. Gilberto helped organize it and it went off without
a hitch. We brought our own iPod with music for walking down the aisle and signing the book.
The reception was on the terrace at Zocalo al Fresco. I LOVED this set-up. The bar was there for people to have a drink while we were doing pictures, there were bathrooms nearby, and we were off the sand but still had a beautiful ocean view. The staff was incredible. I felt like I had my own personal butler for the evening - my wine glass was never empty and I was constantly being asked if I needed anything.
The week itself was wonderful and all of our guests loved the variety of food and drinks. I heard nothing but rave reviews about the service and quality of both the food and drinks. Overall we were thrilled with our stay at the Sensatori.
The best moment of the day …
was standing on the warm beach, the sun setting behind us, my new husband and I surrounded by 45 of our favourite people.
Our advice for future wedding couples …
is to have a general idea of what you would like before you go – and bring along any ‘special touches’ that will make your reception personal, but be prepared to plan the finishing details when you get there. Rest assured that you will be in great hands once you arrive. Enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Our wedding colours …
were hot pink roses for my bouquet with greenery, hot pink/orange gerbera daisies for our reception centrepieces, hot pink bows on the chairs for our beach ceremony.
Lisa & Darrell, Signature Vacations customers
Iberostar Paraiso Maya
Riviera Maya, Mexico
February 6, 2008
We were awe-struck by the magnificence of the Iberostar Paraiso Maya resort – it truly exceeded our expectations! Although our guest list was small, the friendliness of the staff made us feel as though we were part of an extended family … a royal family, that is! The week prior to the wedding was filled with sunshine, gourmet meals, and adventurous excursions, with still enough time to relax. Then – the wedding day! Everything came together perfectly on that day. The memories created throughout our entire stay were so special, we returned with most of our guests to the same resort the following year to celebrate our first anniversary, ready to experience even more excitement in Mexico!
The best moment of the day …
was when the Judge declared my husband and I officially married, in the presence of our family and friends, in one of the most exquisite settings we have ever seen for a wedding. It was a dream come true – a dream that lasted for the rest of the vacation and will continue to live on in our memories!
Our advice for future wedding couples …
is to have a general idea of how you’d like your wedding to be, then leave the minute details to the Wedding Coordinators at your hotel … they really DO know what they are doing!
Our wedding colours …
were white, black and platinum, to match our wedding rings with a hint of blue tossed in, reflective of the vivid Caribbean Sea.
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